5 Unique Ways YOU Can Make A Difference Right Here in Santa Monica

Between September 2014 and 2015, over 62 million people in the United States volunteered at least once. There’s a reason why so many people choose to give back to their communities and donate to charitable causes: it’s provides a highly rewarding feeling, and even comes with its own set of benefits (like tax deductions and learning more about the world we live in). In fact, it’s been psychologically proven that the people who give back are happier than those that don’t, and lending a helping hand is actually good for your health.

Lack of money or time can often prevent people from giving back. Fortunately, there are many different ways to make a difference to someone’s day, or even someone’s life. You don’t need to be a millionaire or have a consistently open schedule to make a difference. Different types of charities and programs cater to all varieties of lifestyles. Whatever the case, there’s always a way you can fit volunteering and giving back into your schedule. Here are five unique ways you can make a difference:

1) Donate Your Car

There are many types of donations, but car donations can have a direct, phenomenal impact on its recipients. Typically, car donations go towards an organization that supports family services. For example, Father Joe’s Village accepts car donations to support homeless families in San Diego, California. People who donate cars help their appropriate receiving organization, change a family’s lives, receive a tax deduction, and even eliminate the need for additional repairs and the hassle of finding a buyer. If you’ve got a new car and are looking to declutter and de-stress your life, consider donating your car to a charitable cause.

2) Sponsor An Angel

There are quite a few volunteer programs that are quick to come to mind for many people-- these popular programs might involve disaster relief, helping homeless families, or helping educate children in third-world countries. While these are all important donation and volunteer programs, the Angel Tree, however, is of a different caliber: it helps connect volunteers with the local children of parents in prison. Unfortunately, this is a group of children that is often forgotten.

These children are victims of horrible circumstances that are of no fault of their own. The statistics are staggering: one out of 28 children will have a parent go to prison. Many of those children are present to witness the arrest of the parent. This can result in the child feeling shame and intense loneliness, which can lead to destructive behavior. With the right support and guidance, you can help them navigate those feelings and increase their chances of leading happy lives and decrease the chance that they’ll grow to follow in their parents footsteps.

3) Start Getting Active

With a little extra physical exercise, you’ll be on your way to better, healthier body, and with Charity Miles, you can earn money for charities at the same time -- without ever spending a penny. With the Charity Miles smartphone application, you receive money for the amount of miles you walk. This means that every time you’re going for a jog, walking your dog, or just grabbing a coffee, you’re earning. Through the app, everyday activities turn into money for programs that need it most. Participants can choose from over 30 different charities, including Stand Up To Cancer, ASPCA, and the American Diabetes Association.

4) Collect Soda Can Tabs

If you consume any beverage -- from seltzer water to canned soda -- you can collect tabs to make a difference. The Pop Tab program is a part of the Ronald McDonald House Charities organization, and encourages individuals to start their own Pop Tab chapter. These tabs are comprised of high-grade aluminum, which make them valuable for recycling and helping conserve natural resources.

There are plenty of ways to start your own chapter: if you’re a teacher, you could enforce it in your classroom or school; churches could encourage their members; and all types of organizations could enlist their participants to help, too. It’s a simple way to make a difference and educate others on the importance of recycling.

And the last one for those wanting to leave SM....

5) Volunteer Abroad

One of the best ways to volunteer is to hit the ground running for a cause that’s important to you. For travel enthusiasts, you can blend love for new places with helping a country build roads, conserve land and animals, or educate children. Not only will you be able to view a new country in ways most travelers will not, but you’ll become fully immersed in your country of choice, and will learn plenty in the process. There are hundreds of volunteer abroad programs to choose from. Check out this guide on how to choose the right program for you.